Hungry bears are awake and demand respect

Alaska’s bears are awake, hungry and out there looking for anything to eat.

There have been multiple reports of both black bears and brown bears roaming through communities throughout Alaska.

McHugh Creek Trail is closed after a brown bear feeding on and guarding a winter-killed moose became aggressive.  Expect that trail to be closed at least a week, from McHugh to Potter Creek, until the bear has finished off that meal and moved on.  That trail was the scene of a double-fatality bear mauling years ago.

Normally the early weeks after hibernation don’t offer much easy pickings, so they’ll scavenge whatever they find. As soon as green grass starts sprouting, they will graze like cattle on new growth.  Until then anything edible is fair game.

Once moose calves start dropping in a few weeks, they’ll also become aggressive predators, at which Mama moose become incredibly aggressive and more dangerous than the bears.

At home the usual cautions are in effect. Remove bird feeders and any other food that can draw bears.  Don’t put out garbage until the morning of pickup.

When walking or hiking, be alert for bear sign and make enough noise for a groggy bear to hear you coming. Surprising a bear when you are suddenly within their comfort zone is a good way to prompt an unprovoked charge.  So is surprising a hungry bear when it is eating .

— Lee Leschper